Chapter Thirty-One: Utterly Speechless

When Nan Jianlong answered his daughter’s call and learned that Cai Juying was making a scene at her home, he was shocked. He quickly comforted his daughter, promising he would arrive shortly.

After hanging up, Nan Li looked at Cai Juying in the living room, feeling a surge of stifled frustration. Her family had been in the middle of a peaceful meal; Cai Juying had arrived halfway through, leaving the two children hungry. To make matters worse, the commotion had nearly frightened Huanhuan and Chaochao to tears—that was what truly infuriated Nan Li. Nan Li was not a cold-hearted person; she believed in discussing matters reasonably. How could someone just barge in and start causing trouble without a polite word? Thinking that Cai Juying was there for Yan Ziyou and knowing her stubborn, irrational nature, Nan Li worried her father wouldn't be able to handle her alone. She immediately thought of Tian Yulan and pulled out her phone to call her.

Tian Yulan had invited her parents-in-law to a restaurant, hoping to leverage their wealth to help Yan Ziyou get into the "Gold Medal Class." To her surprise, while her parents-in-law were cordial at first, the conversation shifted to having a second child. They promised to help with anything she needed, provided she agreed to give them another grandchild. Tian Yulan was incensed on the spot. What was this? A business transaction? In her view, everything she did was for her son, and since Ziyou was their grandson, shouldn't helping him be a given? Yet now, they were "threatening" her with the condition of a second child.

In truth, Tian Yulan had misunderstood them. They genuinely had no such ulterior motive; they were more than happy to help their grandson. They had simply chosen a moment when they thought she was in a good mood to suggest the idea, never expecting such a volatile reaction. When her expression soured, their own faces darkened. After all, they were the elders, and they had provided financial support without ever wronging their daughter-in-law; it was only natural for them to feel offended by her immediate display of hostility. Yan Peng, caught in the middle, felt incredibly awkward and didn't know what to say.

Just as the atmosphere grew tense, Tian Yulan’s phone rang. Seeing Nan Li’s name on the caller ID only added to her foul mood. Recently, due to their professional relationship as client and contractor, the two had clashed openly and covertly several times. Tian Yulan stepped aside and answered the call.

"Hello, what is it?"

As soon as the line connected, Nan Li was met with such an abrasive tone that she immediately felt her own temper flare. *Oh, so your mother comes over to cause trouble, I try to solve the problem, and you snap at me before I can even speak?*

Nan Li did not mince her words: "Tian Yulan, I don't know what you told your mother, and I don't care to know, but I need you to come here immediately and take your mother away from my house."

Tian Yulan was stunned. "What are you talking about? My mother went to your house? Since when?"

Nan Li replied, "Just now. She is still sitting here, insisting that Xia Junshan go to Zhong Yi and force him to take Ziyou in. What is wrong with you people? Xia Junshan already helped you by arranging for you to negotiate with Zhong Yi. Now that you couldn't close the deal, what is the meaning of sending your mother to my house to make a scene?"

"My mother is making a scene at your house?" Tian Yulan was truly bewildered. She had mentioned the matter to her mother, but she had never asked her to approach Nan Li, let alone cause a disturbance. However, she was a complex person; while she felt embarrassed, she also became fiercely defensive because she sensed Nan Li’s disdain for her mother through the tone of the call.

Suppressing her own anger, Tian Yulan retorted sharply, "I’m coming over right now. But Nan Li, let us handle our own affairs—don't you dare give my mother a hard time."

"I..." Before Nan Li could respond, Tian Yulan hung up. Nan Li stomped her foot in frustration. "What kind of person is she?" It was Cai Juying who had come to cause trouble, yet the situation was being twisted as if her own family were the ones bullying her. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Furious, Nan Li retreated to the balcony, unwilling to face Cai Juying in the living room for fear that she might lose her composure and say something cruel.

In the living room, Zhou Chen was trying to manage the situation. He felt it was better for Nan Li to stay away; otherwise, if Cai Juying acted up again, he might not be able to remain patient.

"Auntie Cai, let’s talk this through reasonably. Ziyou is our nephew, and I have a good relationship with Yan Peng. If there is anything I can truly do to help, I won't refuse."

Cai Juying put on a wronged expression and pleaded, "Junshan, since you’ve said that, you really should help. The grievances between us adults shouldn't involve the children. You shouldn't take your feelings out on the boy."

Zhou Chen was rendered speechless. He couldn't tell if she was playing dumb or genuinely didn't understand. How had she managed to frame their refusal as a consequence of adult grudges? He had been keeping his temper and remaining polite only out of respect for his father-in-law, but that was no excuse for her to speak to him like that.

"Auntie Cai, there are no grievances between us adults. Even if there were, they would be between you and Nan Li’s parents, and that shouldn't affect us. You don't need to say such things. I have already put in a good word regarding Ziyou."

"However, I only know Zhong Yi; I am not his superior. I cannot control what he chooses to do. It is truly useless for you to come here and beg us. If you really want to help, you should go to Yan Peng’s parents. They have the money—perhaps they can use it to pave the way. That would certainly be more effective than anything I could say, wouldn't you agree?"

Zhou Chen realized he had underestimated Cai Juying. He had expressed his position clearly, but she acted as if she hadn't heard a word.

"Junshan, why don't you try again? Talk to Teacher Zhong. Lanlan said he is your junior fellow student; he will definitely give you some face."

Zhou Chen was at a loss for words. He finally understood the extent of this woman’s irrational persistence. It was no wonder his mother-in-law couldn't defeat her—she simply had no regard for pride or dignity. As long as she achieved her goal, she didn't care about looking foolish. It was absurd; if Nan Jianlong himself had asked, it might be a different story, but what right did she, a woman who had entered the family later, have to demand anything of him?

He had lost his appetite and had no desire to continue the conversation. He stood up and headed toward the table, intending to clear it. To his surprise, Cai Juying scurried over.

"Junshan, please, just contact Teacher Zhong again. I’ll clear the table, I’ll do it!"

"No, Auntie Cai, really, you don't have to. I can do it myself."

But Cai Juying wouldn't listen. Her hands moved swiftly, clearing plates and wiping the table, making it impossible for Zhou Chen to intervene.

"Fine, then." Dealing with such a stubborn person, Zhou Chen had no choice but to let her be. He simply sat back and watched her clean, refusing to make the phone call.